Samburu Steps Up Livestock Breeding to Meet Global Standards

Key Highlights

• Samburu County is advancing livestock breeding to access international markets.
• The government distributed 2,810 Galana goats through a restocking program.
• Livestock products from Samburu are now linked to markets in the UAE via CEPA.
• A national mass vaccination exercise is planned to improve animal health and product quality.
• The Animal Identification and Traceability System (ANITRAC) will help curb cattle rustling.
• A Sh13.2 million, 20-million-litre water pan was launched at Nomotio Livestock Improvement Centre to support livestock during dry seasons.
• County budget allocations support purchase of camels and Sahiwal heifers and training of animal health workers.

The Samburu County government is intensifying efforts to improve livestock breeds to ensure local meat and milk products meet international standards.

Speaking at the Nomotio Livestock Improvement Centre in Maralal town, Livestock Development PS Jonathan Mueke reported that the government recently distributed 2,810 Galana goats as part of a restocking program designed to enhance goat breeding in the county.

PS Mueke highlighted that the government has secured a market for Samburu livestock products in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signaling a major shift in the export strategy.

He emphasized that access to international markets depends on maintaining high-quality animals through proper breeding and vaccination.

“The subsidised national mass vaccination exercise will soon start in Samburu county after sensitising herders through the Food Systems Resilient Project. I urge you to allow our extension officers to vaccinate your animals,” he said.

Addressing perennial cattle rustling, the PS said the government has launched the Animal Identification and Traceability System (ANITRAC), which has been successfully tested on government farms and will soon be implemented county-wide.

“Every animal will have a tagged chip with details on the owner, breed, weight, and vaccination history. This will help curb theft and allow buyers to trace where the meat comes from using the ANITRAC stamp,” Mueke added.

In addition, the PS inaugurated a Sh13.2 million water pan at Nomotio Livestock Improvement Centre, with a 20-million-litre capacity, aimed at supporting livestock and residents during dry periods.

Samburu County Executive for Agriculture Moses Leluata reaffirmed the county’s commitment to transforming livestock rearing from a traditional activity into a sustainable economic venture.

“Samburu is a livestock county, which is why 11 percent of the county’s development budget is allocated to livestock and agriculture. This enables us to buy and distribute 1,000 camels and 1,000 Sahiwal heifers each financial year to improve livelihoods,” he said.

Leluata praised the collaboration with the Kenya Livestock Commercialisation Project (KeLoP), which has trained 20 community-based animal health workers and provided veterinary drugs and vaccines to farmers.

PS Mueke was accompanied by Samburu County Commissioner John Cheruiyot, the president’s livestock advisor Prof. Abdi Guliye, and KeLoP county coordinator Dr. Edward Lolokuru, along with other officials.